“Worry is sideways energy that sidetracks us from our Heavenly Father’s loving comfort.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 21, 2022
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life. Matthew 6:26-27
As I write this morning the drizzling rain has flushed out a variety of song birds fluttering back and forth to taste delicious morsels from the two birdfeeders outside my library window. My feathery friends have grown accustom to returning to a dependable source of food. In greater fashion the Lord provides nourishment to our body, mind and soul. Especially, during the dark rainy days of life—we can nourish our desires on God’s teaching and embrace His love. The Lord’s care replaces worry with His generous provision. His love cares for what we need.
The results of worry aren’t redeeming, productive, nor helpful. Worry doesn’t assist today and it only complicates tomorrow. Its ultimate sideways energy sidetracks us from our Heavenly Father’s loving comfort. Worry is a dark alley in a loud, confused city. It’s an untrodden trail off the beaten path of God’s will. Worry has a way of putting a wrench into the works of Christ. It’s a subtle and not so subtle way to place our efforts ahead of God’s. Worry leads to a victim mindset—no hope, only blaming others for what I lack.
Worry can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Yes, we can work ourselves into a frantic state of self-reliance, so much so that we begin to believe and live out lies. We predict the worst-case scenario is imminent and then we act in ways that move us in that direction. We simmer in self-pity, talking like a victim, then we become a victim. Worry whispers statements like, “What if you lose your job?”, “What if you have a disease?”, “What if he/she leaves you?” Worry’s results wreak havoc.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Praise the Lord there are remedies to worry! Shifting our focus from self to our Savior is a foolproof way for faith to preempt false thinking. Self is like a jealous lover who wants to be the center of attention, but Christ alone deserves this highest status of affection. When our idols of security, money, control and comfort bow to Jesus, worry runs away rejected. Worship embraces hope as courage for the heart. Courage and hope are fraternal twins that birth in us a living faith.
The Lord sustains you when you cast your cares on Him. Your humility in confessing your ongoing need for Christ leads to spiritual sustainability. Healthy soul care requires you to invite your Heavenly Father to care for your anxious heart and nervous emotions. Submission to Sovereign God precludes a position for your pride to perch. Yes, Jesus’ spoken word in Scripture soothes your soul and brings peace to your war of worry. The result of trust is peace. See the birds—and see how you are much more valued by God!
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I bow in humility to You, trusting You with my cares and concerns, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen.
Related Reading
Psalm 55:22; Proverbs 12:25; Philippians 4:6-7; Hebrews 13:5-6
Worship Resource
Maverick City Music feat. Naomi Raine & Israel Houghton: God Will Work It Out
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